1995 Ford Taurus GL 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Great family sedan

Faults:

Just after I bought it the battery went dead - had to replace it. Mechanic said sometimes it happens to the batteries like an internal short or something. Now after 5 yrs, I got a dry squeaky noise in the parking lots when turning. My car has only 125K km on it, but the dealer says tie-rods have to be replaced. It's 350CAD - what a rip off. I guess I have to do it. Otherwise great car, just keep changing oil every 5K.

General Comments:

Good car. Very comfortable on long trips. Drove it from Texas to California and back. Then drove from Texas to California to British Columbia and Alberta. Huge trunk. Not very sporty, but provides reliable every day transportation. I like it. Very low maintenance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th September, 2003

21st Sep 2003, 11:40

Keep it maintained and it will run forever.. the Taurus with 3.0 V6 is very reliable, but make sure you keep your Transmission maintained (fluid/filter changes, etc). We put over 172,000 on ours with no major problems.

1995 Ford Taurus GL 3.0 SOHC from North America

Summary:

Reliable and inexpensive family car

Faults:

The car goes through brakes fairly quickly. Rotors warp quickly and many mechanics will not turn them as they are composite rotors. However, they are a cheap replacement.

Transmission is beginning to fail - slips or completely disengages at times. It also has started to hesitate when switching gears.

General Comments:

I drive the Taurus pretty hard and have been happy that it has taken the stress without much complaint.

After 178000 miles, I expect a few things to start going bad - transmission, engine seals, etc.

It has served me well and I am considering a newer Taurus as a replacement for when this one finally dies.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2003

28th Aug 2003, 16:39

The newer Tauruses are much less reliable.. when I say "newer" I mean '96 and on.. You should keep the one you have.. Trust me when I say it is worth fixing. That 3.0 is a great engine.

1995 Ford Taurus GL 3.8 from North America

Summary:

Fords biggest oops

Faults:

I bought the car from my father. He take awesome care of his cars. Thought it was the deal of a life time and it was until...

The head gasket blew after three weeks. I didn't know it was hot because the temp. gauge was stuck on cool.

I then had strange electrical short outs.

Car died while driving and would not start again. Melted wires.

Cruise control went out.

Would delay then lunge into gears.

Air conditioner is leaking.

I was told it was a transmission problem. Took it to a trans shop, they said not a trans problem, it's an engine problem. Took it to an engine shop and told not an engine problem, but a trans problem. Back to trans shop. Oh why yes it needs a new transmission. Took it one more place and all it was was a melted speed control sensor.

Now the car surges as you maintain a constant speed. Only good for rocking babies to sleep. Not good on the stomach. Latest diagnoses is engine problem.

General Comments:

I am thinking of donating it for a tax write off or starting a new ocean reef with it.

My Festiva only needed brakes, tires and a muffler and I had it for ten years.

Ford has left a bad taste in my mouth. I'll keep my 1999 Tahoe and put this one out of it's misery.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st July, 2003

22nd Aug 2006, 21:17

I also have a 3.8 Liter 1995 Ford Taurus GL. It has been running rough for 6 months, and check-up after check-up, tune-ups, and oil changes, they finially tell me the oil pan and head gasket both need replacing. The car's a bit of a mess right now, sitting at a shop 75 miles away. I told them to fix it if the car is worth it. I think my next car might not be a Ford...